Archaeologists carrying out works at the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa (West Aswan), Egypt have uncovered a burial from the 12 dynasty (Middle Kingdom).
Within the framework of the excavation works performed by Jaén University – Spain, directed by Alejandro Jimémez-Serrano, the burial of a lady called ” Sattjeni ” from the 12th Dynasty (Middle Kingdom) was discovered buried inside two wooden coffins.
Dr. Mahmoud Afifi, explains that the mummy was originally wrapped in linen and deposited in coffins made of cedar from Lebanon. Over the face of Sattjeni, remains of her cartonnage mask was also found.
The inner coffin was in a very good level of preservation, an analysis of the cedar wood will enable experts to determine a date in which the sarcophagus was carved and cut.
Dr. Mahmoud Afify, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Archaeology Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities said that the discovery is of a historic importance because “Sattjeni” is one of the most important figures in the Middle Kingdom, being the mother Heqa-Ib III” and ” Amaeny-Senb”; two of the highest authorities of Elephantine under the reign of Amenemhat III, around 1800-1775 BCE .
The Spanish Mission (University of Jaén, Spain) in Qubbet el-Hawa, directed by Dr. Alejandro Jiménez-Serrano, is working on West Aswan since 2008 and, since that year, has discovered several intact burials of different periods. Among them, the discovery of Lady Sattjeni’s son Heqaib III.
MINISTRY OF ANTIQUITIES
